Refrigerator ice compartment latch

ABSTRACT

An insulated icemaking compartment is provided in the fresh food compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator. The icemaking compartment may be integrally formed with the liner of the fresh food compartment, or alternatively, may be modular for installation anywhere in the fresh food compartment. A removable bin assembly with a front cover normally seals the icemaking compartment to maintain the temperature in the compartment. A cold air duct formed in the rear wall of the refrigerator supplies cold air from the freezer compartment to the icemaking compartment. A return air duct directs a portion of the air from the icemaking compartment back to the freezer compartment. An air vent with a damper in the icemaking compartment directs another portion of air into the fresh food compartment. A control system provides for controlling refrigerator functions in a manner that promotes energy efficiency, including movement of the damper between open and closed positions. An improved latch and seal are provided for the ice bin assembly to allow removal of the bin assembly and to ensure a positive seal between the bin assembly and the front cover of the ice compartment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation application of U. S. Ser. No.11/331,883 filed Jan. 13, 2006 which is a Continuation-In-Part ofapplication of U.S. Ser. No. 11/139,237, filed May 27, 2005, entitledINSULATED ICE COMPARTMENT FOR BOTTOM MOUNT REFRIGERATOR, which is aContinuation-In-Part application of and U.S. Ser. No. 11/131,701, filedMay 18, 2005, entitled REFRIGERATOR WITH INTERMEDIATE TEMPERATUREICEMAKING COMPARTMENT, all of which are herein incorporated by referencein their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Household refrigerators generally come in three structural styles: (1) aside-by-side model wherein the freezer and refrigerator compartments areside by side; (2) a top mount model wherein the freezer compartment islocated above the refrigerator compartment; and (3) a bottom mount modelwherein the freezer compartment is mounted below the refrigeratorcompartment. An icemaker is normally provided in the freezer compartmentof all three models. A door mounted ice dispenser is often provided in aside-by-side refrigerator and in a top mount refrigerator so that aperson can add ice to a glass without opening the freezer orrefrigerator door. However, a door mounted ice dispenser normally is notbeen provided in bottom mount refrigerators, since the freezer door istoo low, and there are difficulties in transporting ice from the freezercompartment to the refrigerator compartment which precludes a dispenserin the refrigerator compartment door. However, it is desirable to havean ice dispenser in the refrigerator compartment of a bottom mountrefrigerator.

Providing an icemaking compartment within the fresh food compartment ofa refrigerator presents numerous issues, both structural and functional.For example, the fresh food compartment is normally about 40° F., whilean ice compartment needs to be less than 32° F. in order to make iceeffectively and efficiently and is typically at, or about 0° F.Maintaining and controlling the temperature within the icemakingcompartment requires insulation, seals, appropriate airflow, and acontrol system. Placing the icemaking compartment within the fresh foodcompartment of the refrigerator also requires consideration ofelectrical connections of the icemaker and the supply of water to theicemaker. The method of manufacturing of such an icemaking compartmentwithin the fresh food compartment of a refrigerator also raises noveland unique considerations which are not factors for an icemakingcompartment mounted in a freezer.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,735,959 issued to Najewicz discloses a thermoelectricicemaker placed within the fresh food compartment of a bottom mountrefrigerator that may be dispensed through the fresh food door. Najewiczforms ice within the fresh food compartment using the thermoelectricicemaker even though the compartment is above a freezing temperature.Although Najewicz provides for a duct that runs from the freezercompartment to the thermoelectric icemaker, the cold air from the ductis used to remove heat from the thermoelectric icemaker. Najewicz hasmany problems that must be overcome in order to be practical includingthe removal of unfrozen water, rapid ice body formation, prolonged icestorage, etc. The present invention overcomes these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore it is a primary object, feature, or advantage of the presentinvention to improve over the state of the art.

A further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is theprovision of an improved refrigerator having an icemaking compartmentwithin the fresh food compartment.

Another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is theprovision of a refrigerator having a separate icemaking compartmentmaintained at a temperature between 0° and 32° F.

A further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is theprovision of a refrigerator having an insulated icemaking compartmentremote from the freezer compartment.

A further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is theprovision of a bottom mount refrigerator having an icemaking compartmentin the fresh food compartment, and having an insulated and sealed frontcover on the icemaking compartment which can be opened to provide accessinto the compartment.

A further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is theprovision of an icemaking compartment which is formed separately fromand mounted into a fresh food compartment of a bottom mountrefrigerator.

Another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is theprovision of a method of making a bottom mount refrigerator having anintegral ice compartment formed in the liner of the fresh foodcompartment.

Still another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention isthe provision of a control system for an ice compartment within thefresh food compartment of a refrigerator for controlling icemaking anddispensing.

Another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is theprovision of an icemaker in the refrigerator compartment of a bottommount refrigerator, with a cold air duct to provide air from the freezercompartment to the icemaker.

Still another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention isthe provision of an icemaker in the refrigerator compartment of a bottommount refrigerator having efficient and timely icemaking capacity.

It is a still further object, feature, or advantage of the presentinvention to provide a refrigerator that is energy efficient.

Another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is toprovide a refrigerator that enhances safety.

Yet another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is toprovide a refrigerator that provides convenience to users.

A further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is toprovide a refrigerator that is aesthetically pleasing to users.

A still further object, feature, or advantage of the present inventionis to provide a refrigerator with a control system design that minimizesthe complexity and the number of components necessary.

One or more of these and/or other objects, features, or advantages ofthe present invention will become from the specification and claims thatfollow.

The bottom mount refrigerator of the present invention has an icemakerwithin an insulated icemaking compartment in the fresh food orrefrigerator compartment. Cold air is supplied to the icemakingcompartment from the freezer compartment via a cold air duct. A returnair duct extends from the icemaking compartment to the freezercompartment. The icemaking compartment also includes a vent opening forventing air to the refrigerator compartment. A fan draws or forces airthrough the duct from the freezer compartment to the icemakingcompartment. The temperature in the ice making compartment is between 0°F. to 32° F., which is colder than the temperature of the refrigeratorcompartment, but not as cold as the freezer compartment. The icemakingcompartment is preferably located in an upper corner of the refrigeratorcompartment. The door of the refrigerator compartment includes an icedispenser to supply ice to a person without opening the refrigeratorcompartment door. An ice bin for storing ice is removably mounted in theice compartment.

Preferably, the icemaking compartment is formed integrally with theliner of the fresh food compartment. Alternatively, the icemakingcompartment is formed separately from and mounted in the fresh foodcompartment. The icemaking compartment includes inner and outer shells,with insulation therebetween. An insulated front cover for the ice binhas a latch and seal which provide an air-tight seal with the icemakingcompartment when the latch is locked. The latch can be unlocked to allowremoval of the ice bin and to provide access to the icemaker.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bottom mount refrigerator according tothe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bottom mount refrigerator having thedoors removed.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the cold air duct and returnair duct for the icemaking compartment.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the bottom mount refrigerator of thepresent invention with the doors open, and illustrating the cold air andreturn air ducts.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the icemaker positioned within theicemaking compartment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view from the front of the icemaker showing thebin and front cover in a closed position.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 14 showing the bin and front cover inan open position.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the ice pan, auger and motor assembly.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the ice pan, auger and motor assembly.

FIG. 12 is a rear elevation view of the bin assembly seal for theicemaking compartment.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along lines 25-25 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is an elevation view of the ice bin assembly latch in the lockedposition.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view taken along lines 15-15 of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is an elevation view of the ice bin assembly latch in theunlocked position.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged view taken along lines 17-17 of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged partial view of the ice bin assembly seal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A bottom mount refrigerator is generally designated in the drawings bythe reference numeral 10. The refrigerator 10 includes a refrigerator orfresh food compartment 12 and a freezer compartment 14. Doors 16 areprovided for the refrigerator compartment or fresh food compartment 12and a door 18 is provided for the freezer compartment 14. One of thedoors 16 includes an ice dispenser 20, which may also include a waterdispenser.

Intermediate Temperature Icemaking Compartment

An icemaking compartment or intermediate compartment 22 is provided inthe refrigerator compartment 12. The icemaking compartment 22 is shownto be in one of the upper comers of the refrigerator, or fresh food,compartment 12, but other locations are also within the scope of thisinvention. The icemaking compartment 22 has a front cover 23 that isinsulated to prevent the cold air of the icemaking compartment 22 frompassing into the refrigerator compartment and opening 21 is providedthat mates with chute 19 of the ice dispenser 20. A seal may be providedbetween the opening 21 and chute 19 to prevent cold air from passingfrom the icemaking compartment to the refrigerator compartment 12. Chute19 may be adapted to engage opening 21 upon closing of door 16. Chute 19and opening 21 may be opposingly angled as to provide added sealing uponclosing of door 16. Additionally, an intermediate piece may be used toimprove the seal be between chute 19 and opening 21. For example, aresilient seal may be used to assist in achieving this seal.Alternatively, a spring or other elastic material or apparatus may beutilized between or about the junction of chute 19 and opening 21. Otheralternatives for sealing between chute 19 and opening 21 should beevident to one skilled in the art.

Additionally, chute 19 should have a blocking mechanism located withinor about it to assist in preventing or decreasing the flow of air orheat transfer within chute 19. For example, a flipper door that operatesby a solenoid may be placed at the opening 21 to prevent cold air fromleaving the icemaking compartment 22 and entering into the refrigeratorcompartment.

Preferably, the icemaking compartment 22 includes an icemaker 50 (asdescribed below) that forms ice in an environment that is belowfreezing.

The icemaking compartment 22 may be integrally formed adjacent therefrigerator compartment 12 during the liner forming process andinsulation filling process. In such a process the intermediatecompartment may be separated on at least one side from the fresh foodcompartment by the refrigerator liner. Alternatively, the icemakingcompartment 22 may be made or assembled remotely from the fresh foodcompartment and installed in the fresh food compartment 12. For example,this compartment 22 may be slid into the refrigerator compartment 12 onoverhead rails (not shown) or other mounting. These methods arediscussed subsequently.

The refrigerator 10 includes an evaporator 24 which cools therefrigerator compartment 12 and the freezer compartment 14. Normally,the refrigerator compartment 12 will be maintained at about 40° F. andthe freezer compartment 14 will be maintained at approximately 0° F. Theicemaking compartment is maintained at a temperature below 32° F. orless in order to form ice, but is preferably not as cold as the freezercompartment 14. Preferably this temperature is in the range of 20° F.The walls of the icemaking compartment are insulated to facilitatetemperature control among other aspects. Grates or air vents 26 areprovided in the wall 28 between the refrigerator compartment 12 and thefreezer compartment 14 to allow air circulation between thecompartments.

Air Ducts

A cold air duct 30 extends between the freezer compartment 14 and theicemaking or specialty compartment 22. More particularly, the cold airduct 30 has a lower air inlet 32 within the freezer compartment 14 andan upper outlet end 34 connected to a fan 36 mounted on the back wall ofthe icemaker 22. The fan 36 draws cold air from the freezer compartmentand forces the cold air into the icemaker 22 so as to facilitateicemaking. It is understood that the fan 36 may be located at the inletend 32 of the cold air duct 30. The fan 36 controls the air flow fromthe freezer compartment 14 to the icemaking compartment 22 and may be avariable speed fan. The fan can be actuated by conventional means. Thecold air duct 30 preferably resides within the rear wall of therefrigerator 10, as seen in FIG. 5. The arrow 35 designates the air flowthrough the cold air duct 30.

The refrigerator 10 also includes a return air duct 38 having an upperend 40 connected to the icemaker 22, and a lower end 42 terminatingadjacent one of the air grates 26. Alternatively, the lower end 42 ofthe return air duct 38 may extend into the freezer compartment 14.Preferably, the return air duct 38 resides within the rear wall of therefrigerator 10, as seen in FIG. 6.

The icemaking compartment 22 also has an air vent for discharging airinto the refrigerator compartment 14. Thus, a portion of the air fromthe icemaking compartment 22 is directed through the return air duct 38to the freezer compartment 14, as indicated by arrow 43 in FIG. 3, andanother portion of the icemaking compartment air is vented through theopening 44 into the refrigerator compartment 12, as indicated by arrows45 in FIG. 3.

As seen in FIG. 4, the ice is discharged from the icemaker 22 in anyconventional manner. Similarly, the ice dispenser 20 functions in aconventional manner.

Icemaker

As seen in FIG. 7, an icemaker 50 is positioned within the icemakingcompartment 22 with the ice storage area 54 with auger (not shown)removed for clarity. The icemaker 50 is mounted to an impingement duct52. The impingement duct receives freezer air coming from the freezercompartment through the cold air duct 30 and the fan assembly 36. Theopening 44 vents air into the refrigerator compartment 12. The augerassembly (not shown) is provided beneath the icemaker 50 along with anice storage bin with an insulated cover 23. Impingement on the icemaker, as well as other aspects of ice making, is disclosed inApplicant's U.S. application Ser. No. 11/131,701 filed May 18, 2005entitled REFRIGERATOR WITH IMPROVED ICEMAKER and is hereby incorporatedby reference.

Ice Bin Assembly

The ice compartment 22 also includes an ice bin assembly 130. Theassembly 130 is removable for assembly, service, and user access to bulkice storage. The components of the bin assembly 130 are shown in FIGS.10 and 11. The bin assembly 130 includes a tray or bin 132 for receivingice from the icemaker 50. An auger 134 is mounted within the tray 132,with the first end 136 of the auger 134 being received in a motor 138which is mounted in the upstream end 140 of the tray 132. The second end142 of the auger 134 is mounted in a housing 144 on a front plate 146 ofthe bin assembly 130. A short piece of auger flighting 143 is providedon the second end 142 of the auger 134, within the housing 144. Thehousing 144 includes an outlet opening 148, with a flipper door 150 inthe housing 144 to control opening and closing of the outlet opening148. The flipper door 150 is mounted upon a shaft 152 extending throughthe tray 132. A spring 154 mounted on the shaft 152 engages the flipperdoor 150 to normally bias the door 150 to a closed position over theoutlet opening 148. The shaft 152 can be turned by a solenoid (notshown) so as to move the flipper door 150 to an open position relativeto the outlet opening 148, such that ice can be discharged from the tray132 to the dispenser 20.

Front Cover Seal

A two-piece front cover 162 is provided on the bin assembly 130. Thefront cover 162 includes an inner panel 164 and an outer panel 166, asbest seen in FIG. 11. Insulation is provided between the inner and outerpanels 164, 166, such that the front cover 162 is insulated. The innerpanel 164 mounts onto the front plate 146 of the bin assembly 130. Aseal or compressible gasket 168 (FIG. 12) is provided around the outerperimeter of the front plate 146 so that when the bin assembly 130 isinstalled into the ice box 122, an air-tight seal is provided betweenthe bin assembly 130 and the front opening 120 of the ice compartment22. The seal 168 helps maintain the lower temperature of the icemakingcompartment 22, as compared to the higher temperature of the fresh foodcompartment 12. Since the ice compartment 22 is at a lower temperaturethan the fresh food compartment 12, the two components must be sealedfrom one another.

The front cover 162 includes a latch mechanism for releasably lockingthe cover 162 to the ice compartment 22. The latch mechanism includes alock bar 170 extending through a pair of collars 172 on the front plate146 of the bin assembly 130 for lateral sliding movement between alocked position engaging a catch 171 on the wall of the ice compartment22 (FIG. 14) and unlocked position disengaged from the catch 171 (FIG.16). The lock bar 170 is normally biased to the locked position by aspring 174. A cam 176 is mounted on a peg 178 on the front plate 146 ofthe bin assembly 130 and is adapted to engage a flange or finger 180 onthe end of the lock bar 170. The cam 176 overcomes the bias of thespring 74 when actuated by a finger button 182 mounted on the outerpanel 166, so as to release the front cover 162 for removal of the binassembly 130. Thus, the bin assembly 130 can be slid into the ice box122 and positively retained by the latch bar 170 with an air-tight sealto maintain the temperature of the ice compartment 22. A user candepress the button 182 on the bin assembly 130 to unlock the lock bar170 for removal of the bin assembly 130 from the ice box 122. The seal168 prevents air movement at the juncture of the removable bin assembly130 and the ice compartment 22. The latch bar 170 ensures that the binassembly 130 is positively retained (FIGS. 14 and 15) when closed with aslight compression of the gasket seal 168 (FIG. 18).

Miscellaneous

Applicant's co-pending provisional application, Ser. No. 60/613,241filed Sep. 27, 2004, entitled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DISPENSING ICEFROM A BOTTOM MOUNT REFRIGERATOR, is hereby incorporated by reference inits entirety. This application and the provisional application bothrelate to a refrigerator with a bottom mount freezer and an icemakingcompartment for making ice at a location remote from the freezer.However, it is understood that the ice compartment latch and seal ofthis application can also be used on a top mount or side-by-siderefrigerator.

The invention has been shown and described above with the preferredembodiments, and it is understood that many modifications,substitutions, and additions may be made which are within the intendedspirit and scope of the invention. From the foregoing, it can be seenthat the present invention accomplishes at least all of its statedobjectives.

1. An improved refrigerator, comprising: a fresh food compartment; an ice compartment; an ice maker in the ice compartment; a bin assembly removably mounted in the ice compartment for storing ice; and a latch on the bin assembly to ensure retention of the bin assembly in the ice compartment.
 2. The improved refrigerator of claim 1 further comprising a button to release the latch and allow removal of the bin assembly from the ice compartment.
 3. The improved refrigerator of claim 1 wherein the latch is moveable between locked and unlocked positions.
 4. The improved refrigerator of claim 3 wherein the latch is biased to the locked position.
 5. The improved refrigerator of claim 3 further comprising a catch on the ice compartment for engagement by the latch in the locked position.
 6. The improved refrigerator of claim 3 wherein the latch slides between the locked and unlocked positions.
 7. The improved refrigerator of claim 3 further comprising a finger-actuated button to release the latch from the locked position to the unlocked position.
 8. The improved refrigerator of claim 7 further comprising a cam on the bin assembly which engages the latch and pivots in response to depressing the button to move the latch from the locked to unlocked position.
 9. The improved refrigerator of claim 1 further comprising a seal extending around a perimeter edge of the bin assembly to sealingly engage with the ice compartment when the bin assembly is installed in the ice compartment.
 10. The improved refrigerator of claim 9 wherein the bin assembly includes a front cover for covering the ice compartment, and the seal being mounted on the front cover.
 11. An improved refrigerator having an ice compartment with an icemaker and a removable bin for storing ice, the improvement comprising: a front cover on the bin; and a latch on the front cover to releasably secure the bin in the ice compartment.
 12. The improved refrigerator of claim 11 further comprising a button to release the latch and allow removal of the bin from the ice compartment.
 13. The improved refrigerator of claim 11 wherein the latch is moveable between locked and unlocked positions.
 14. The improved refrigerator of claim 13 wherein the latch is biased to the locked position.
 15. The improved refrigerator of claim 13 further comprising a catch on the ice compartment for engagement by the latch in the locked position.
 16. The improved refrigerator of claim 13 wherein the latch slides between the locked and unlocked positions.
 17. The improved refrigerator of claim 16 further comprising a cam on the bin assembly which engages the latch and pivots to move the latch from the locked to unlocked position.
 18. The improved refrigerator of claim 11 further comprising a gasket on the front cover to provide an air tight seal between the front cover and the ice compartment.
 19. The improved refrigerator of claim 18 wherein the front cover has a perimeter edge and the gasket extends around the perimeter edge.
 20. The improved refrigerator of claim 18 wherein the gasket is compressed between the front cover and the ice compartment when the latch is in a locked position. 